Hibiscus plant named ‘JBG 19034’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Hibiscus  plant having intense orange colored flowers with a prominent eye and a compact growth habit.

Botanical classification: Hibiscus rosa-sinensis.

Varietal denomination: ‘JBG 19034’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention comprises a new and distinct Hibiscus plant having the varietal name ‘JBG 19034’. The new variety is the result of a planned breeding program with the purposes of developing Hibiscus rosa-sinensis plants that exhibit whitefly and bacterial and fungal leaf spot resistance, propagation and production efficiencies, durable and exotic flowers, and abundant flowering. ‘JBG 19034’ is the result of a cross conducted in Grand Saline, Texas between Hibiscus rosa-sinensis varieties ‘AH-64’ (female parent, unpatented) and ‘JBG MH-17’ (male parent, U.S. Plant Pat. No. PP34,664). The new variety was selected in April of 2018 in Grand Saline, Texas and the first asexual reproduction of the new variety was conducted by semi-hardwood cuttings in September of 2018 in Grand Saline, Texas. ‘JBG 19034’ has been trial and field tested and has been found to retain its distinctive characteristics and remain true to type through successive propagations. The present invention has not been evaluated under all possible environmental conditions. However, it has been found to thrive in production and adapt well to the environment in Homestead, Florida. The phenotype may vary with variations in environment without a change in the genotype of the plant.

‘JBG 19034’ is similar to its female parent in petal shape and ruffling, having a dark flower eye, and in growth rate. ‘JBG 19034’ differs from its female parent in flower color (the female parent has pink flowers) and exhibiting smaller foliage. ‘JBG 19034’ is similar to its male parent in flower color and shape, having a large, dark flower eye, and exhibiting rich green colored foliage. However, ‘JBG 19034’ differs from its male parent in having smaller flowers and petals, as well as a smaller overall plant size and slower growth rate.

When ‘JBG 19034’ is compared to Hibiscus rosa-sinensis variety named ‘MH-05’ (unpatented), both varieties have an orange flower color, similar male parentage, and low to moderate growth rate. However, ‘JBG 19034’ has a darker colored and more prominent flower eye, the petals of ‘MH-05’ are more ruffled, and the flowers of the new variety are longer lasting than those of ‘MH-05’.

The following traits distinguish ‘JBG 19034’ as a new and distinct cultivar from other Hibiscus varieties known to the breeder:

-   -   1. Intense orange flower color:     -   2. Naturally compact growth habit;     -   3. High quantity of open flowers at the same time;     -   4. Shiny and waxy foliage; and     -   5. Multiple buds present on a single axle.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying photographic images illustrate the new variety at approximately four months of age, with the colors being as nearly true as is possible with color illustrations of this type:

FIG. 1 illustrates a close-up view of a flower of the new variety; and

FIG. 2 illustrates an entire plant of the new variety.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

The following detailed description sets forth the characteristics of the new variety. The plants were grown in 15 cm containers in a heated greenhouse with a minimum temperature of approximately 13° C. and about 30% light shade in the summer months. The color readings and measurements were taken indoors under fluorescent lights with natural light from a window nearby on approximately four month old plants. Color references are primarily to The 1995 R.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society of London, 3^(rd) Edition, except where general color terms are used.

PLANT

-   Time to initiate roots: About 12 days at an average of 24° C. -   Time to develop roots: About 50 days at an average of 21-24° C. -   Time to produce a finished flowering plant from a rooted cutting:     About 12-16 weeks in a 1 gallon/20.0 cm diameter container. -   Specific disease/pest resistance: Resistance to whitefly     (Trialeurodes vaporariorum) and bacterial leaf spot (Pseudomonas     spp.). -   Heat/cold tolerance: Thrives above 13° C., but expires at     temperatures of 0° C. and below. -   Drought tolerance: Moderate to none. -   Plant:     -   -   Type.—Tropical, ornamental shrub.         -   Habit.—Compact with good branching.         -   Height.—22.9 cm from the top of the pot to the top of the             plant.         -   Spread.—35.6 cm.         -   Vigor.—Low to moderate.         -   Rooting.—Coarse and well-branched. -   Stem:     -   -   Number per plant.—2.         -   Length.—19.1 cm.         -   Width.—1.0 cm.         -   Texture.—Immature: Slightly textured. Mature: Heavily             textured and rough.         -   Strength.—Firm.         -   Branch number.—7.         -   Internode length.—2.5 cm.         -   Color.—Immature: 183A and 144B. Mature: 199B.         -   Stipules.—Number per node: 2. Shape: Spinose. Length:             8.0 mm. Width: 1.0 mm. Surface texture: Smooth. Apex: Acute.             Base: Linear. Margin: Entire. Color: 143A at the tip and 59A             at the base. -   Foliage:     -   -   Arrangement.—Alternate.         -   Size of leaf.—Length: 9.5 cm. Width: 7.6 cm.         -   Shape of leaf (generally).—Ovate.         -   Shape of apex.—Acute.         -   Shape of base.—Rounded.         -   Texture.—Upper surface: Smooth and waxy, with a slight             texture from venation. Lower surface: Slightly rough, with             pubescence and texture from venation.         -   Margin type.—Crenate.         -   Color.—Young leaves: Upper surface: 141A. Lower surface:             146A. Mature leaves: Upper surface: 135A. Lower surface:             146A.         -   Veins.—Venation type: Palmate. Color: Upper surface: 137A.             Lower surface: 137C.         -   Petole.—Length: 3.2 cm. Diameter: 3.0 mm. Texture: Slightly             textured. Color: 143A in the lower surface center and 187A             on the upper surface and remainder of the lower surface.

FLOWERS

-   Buds (described at approximately 4 days from opening):     -   -   Shape.—Elliptical.         -   Diameter.—2.1 cm.         -   Length.—4.9 cm. -   Natural flowering season: Year round in Grand Saline, Texas. -   Flower type and habit: Single with slightly overlapping petals. -   Fragrance: None. -   Flowers:     -   -   Number per stem.—1-4.         -   Overall depth.—3.0 cm.         -   Overall diameter.—13.5 cm.         -   Shape.—Rotate.         -   Lastingness.—2 days on the plant.         -   Petals.—Number: 5. Arrangement: Simple. Length: 8.3 cm.             Width: 7.6 cm. Shape: Ovate. Apex: Obtuse. Base: Acute.             Margin: Entire. Texture/appearance: Upper surface: Smooth             and velvety. Lower surface: Light and soft, with venation             texture present. Color: When opening: Upper surface: 30B on             edge; 59A eye color. Lower surface: 34C on one side; 164C on             overlapping edge. Fully opened: Upper surface: 30C at tip;             187B eye color; 44C edging around eye with 20B in between             the two. Lower surface: 30D at tip; 184D eye color; 164C             edging petals overlap slightly.         -   Calyx.—Form: Fused. Overall length: 2.9 cm. Overall             diameter: 2.1 cm. Sepals/calyx lobes: Number: 5. Shape:             Lanceolate. Apex: Acute. Margin: Entire. Texture: Smooth             with slightly textured edges. Color: Outer surface: 143A.             Inner surface: 146D.         -   Epicalyx.—Length: 1.9 cm. Width: 4.0 mm. Texture: Smooth             with slightly textured edges. Color: 143A. Sepal-like             bracts: Not present.         -   Bracts.—Not present.         -   Peduncle.—Length: 10.0 mm. Diameter: 5.0 mm. Strength: Very             firm. Angle: Approximately 20°. Texture: Slightly coarse.             Color: 143B. -   Reproductive organs:     -   -   Gynoecium.—Pistils: Number: 1. Length: 8.3 cm. Stigma:             Number: 5. Shape: Round. Length: 4.0 mm. Diameter: 4.0 mm.             Color: 44A. Style: Length: 6.5 cm. Width: 4.0 mm. Color: The             majority is 53A; 52C towards top of the style; 8C striations             present. Ovary: Shape: Cylindrical, with a rounded top.             Length: 9.0 mm. Width: 6.0 mm. Color: 4C.         -   Androecium.—Stamens: Number: 87. Position: Below the stigma             on the style. Anther: Shape: U-shaped. Diameter: 1.0 mm.             Color: 17C. Filament: Length: 8.0 mm. Width: 1.0 mm. Color:             58B. Pollen: Color: 17C. Amount (generally): Moderate to             high.

SEEDS

-   Seeds: None produced. 

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Hibiscus plant named ‘JBG 19034’, substantially as illustrated and described herein. 